Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Proof Research Stock - new ultra-light alternative

So the UPS guy delivered my new stock today, its the Proof Research carbon fiber stock I plan on using on a build. I've always been a big fan of the McMillan Classic Edge stock and have done several builds with it but with the recent reports of them being 28ozs+ I wanted to try something else. So the Proof seemed like a good option since I'm also using a carbon wrapped barrel for this build. The stock from first impressions is really nice, slim grip and nicely finished. Weight is 19.3 ozs so super lightweight. Inlet is for a Proof Sendero so my Bartlein #4 is maybe a bit small but overall it fits fine. The bottom metal is inlet for a standard bdl or Hawkins which I will be using. It cam with adjustable pillars installed and action screws and also a tube of Loctite so really a nice stock. I think it will work great for a ultra or lightweight build. Sorry for the poor quality pics but thats the best I could get this evening.

Nice. What action inlets do they offer and can you customize LOP?

I finally got the shipment notification on my manners ultra classic - couple days shy of 9 months. I’ll with hold details on the experience until I have it in hand

You’ll love that UC.

Looks awesome Frank!! Gonna be another awesome rifle and I’m sure a shooter.

Action inlet is for a Remington model 700 either short or long or Remington clones. I will be using a Defiance Rebel action for this rifle which should work. The only thing I will have to check on and can be easily fixed is the action port, the Rebel might be a bit longer than a standard short action 700 but my smith said that's an easy fix. First impression is its a nice stock, if you like a slim grip which it has. It maybe a little bit like a KS grip which I like. I don't believe you can ask for any options on the LOP, I got this one from Stocky Stocks - they had a 10% off sale so had to go for it.

mark

Wanted to like the stock but the barrel channel was just too wide. Looked like a damn mini canoe

Should be a another good one (like all of yours).

i would give them a try if they offered them with smaller barrel channels....maybe in the future

Who is building it for ya??

That’s gonna be sweet, Frank.

Betcha keep this one around...Grins

😎

Maybe - at least for a year or two

Shaen Rifles

Frank- Appears you are using the Bartlein CF wrapped barrel?
If yes please send some diameter measurements.....

I like the Proof stock but I’ll not be using more of their barrels.

Dave,
Yup, its one of the new Bartlein carbon wrapped barrels, its a #4 contour which is supposed to finish @24" but per PM to Frank Green @ Bartlein he said I could lop off 3/4" inch on the shank end to get it really close to 23" which is fine with me.

As far as contour when I asked him he said the CF wrapped #4 is the same exact contour is their SS barrels. But if you want me to measure it just let me know what part of the barrel.

Here is a top view that sort of shows the barrel. The stock is inlet for a Proof Sendero contour. The Bart isn't as beefy but should be fine on the barrel channel, maybe not as snug as in a McMillan but close enough.

Why’s that Dave?

All these comments on the barrel channel which is one of the easier fixes to do. I would put three or four layers of tape on it use lots of micro balloons to reduce weight. I would add black pigment and powdered graphite which adds a silver black color. More graphite fiber can be added and if the gap is large then graphite cloth can be added underneath to really stiffen up the fore end. A gun smith would not charge that much to do this especially if the action didn't need to be re-bedded.

A Brown Precison 'pounder is 16 oz w/out pad.

I have several.

I caught a bad Proof cf barrel last fall. I bought it myself for a build. The guy at Proof couldn’t have been better to deal with.

I explained what I was seeing on target and steps I’d taken to ensure it wasn’t me or some other variable.

The guy said, “sounds like you caught a bad barrel” “Sorry about that”.
“Where can I ship the new barrel?” Not a single hassle.

With that said, I’m gonna try a Bartlein cf barrel on the next build. Bartlein will likely take some good market share from Proof because of their excellent reputation on steel tubes.

😎

Ordered one lately?

Gonna be a great build Oregonmuley!

Sorry for the delay. I missed your query....

I have a 7mm barrel that is crooked enough Shaen was hesitant in chambering. He called and we agreed to do it. First as a 7-08 Ackley. Extremely inconsistent and fussy. Sent it back to Shaen to look over and found nothing so he chambered it in 284. Seemed better but still seems fussy. I am changing scopes and powders for my Friday run and if doesn’t straighten out it’s coming off.

Thought I would kick this back to the top since all my parts are in and will be on the way to the smith today. Picked up the Defiance Machine Rebel action yesterday - my 1st one from them and I like it.

Was pleasantly surprised at the weight - I ordered it with their sheep cut/port, regular tag, ultra deep flutes and integral recoil lug. I was hoping it would be under 30 ozs and its coming in at only 25.4 ozs. Their new AnTi actions are supposed to be 21 ozs for a SS action so this one isn't bad if trying to build a lighter weight rifle. I think when all is completed I should be around 6 lbs 2-4 ozs for the rifle naked and a bit under 8 lbs scoped up which was my target for this build.

Sweet!

Can you tell us how much the barrel weighs?

The barrel is 3 lbs 5 ozs as is. I expect after being chambered and crowned and cutting off maybe 3/4" at the shank and an inch at the muzzle I should be just under 3 lbs. Pretty good for a #4 contour barrel.

More progress, just got this pic from Shaen a few minutes ago. This is the CF wrapped #4 contour Bartlein. The finish length is a little less than 23" which is exactly what I was hoping for. Weigh now is 2 lbs 12 ozs so a good amount shaved off. Finished rifle naked should be right at 6 lbs, pretty good with a #4 contour barrel.

Getting even closer - about 99% done. As pictured weight is 5 lbs 15.9ozs

Looks great!

Very nice! Stock painted by who and with what?

Thats the way it came from Proof Research, pretty much an olive green with some sort of specs in it. It does have a really nice texture to it though.

That’s sweet!!!!

Nice, will be anxious to hear how it shoots.

Shipping tomorrow.

Looks awesome buddy. That came out beautifully

Anticipation..........that one sure checks a lot of boxes.....

Thanks gentlemen - looking forward to getting to shoot this one. And want to also make sure to thank Shaen @ Shaen Rifles. Its sure been a pleasure working with him on this build, he has been most helpful even after I explained I'm mostly a dork when it comes to the "technical" stuff with rifles. I know what i like but not near the level most of you guys are

But he really helped figure out what would work best for what I wanted and the turnaround time on the build has been most impressive. He did email last night that he had a chance to shoot it and said it should shoot OK - grin.

Very nice!!!

So I finally made it to the range today with the new rifle. It was hot and pretty windy so not the best day for shooting - and even on the best day I suck at shooting groups But I know someone will ask how it shot so here are a couple groups. I only put about 20 rounds through it and this is how its shooting. I had a couple groups like the smaller one which was factory Nosler 120 grain Ballistic tip ammo. I also shot a few rounds of Hornady Precision hunter 150 grain which the rifle also shoots well, that group was mostly my fault it isn't better but still well under 1/2" for the 3 shots.

Its a fun rifle to shoot, really like the feel of the Proof stock, should be a nice rifle once I get a chance to put some more rounds down range but I think Shaen did a great job, anything lacking in how it shoots is the fault of the guy behind the trigger which is me

Dang, ain't much else to want with that rifle!

She shoots!

Do the same build with a Mack Ti or Defiance AnTi and it'd almost float.

Really sweet build.

That might be the plan - thinking AnTi for the next one- only because I want another one of Shaens uber teeshirts you get when he builds a rifle for you

I sent him a scope to Cerakote silver for me.

I hope I get a shirt too.

Frank
Congrats on the build!! Looks like it all came together great and it shoots just like expected.
What’s your thoughts on the proof stock? Any dislikes?

Frank,
That 120 NBT factory load just flat shoots, don’t it!
2 questions - what is the mag box length, and can you snap a pic of the barrel in the stock to see the gap on either side?
Thanks!

Andy,
Really like the stock a lot, maybe as much or more than a McMillan Classic Edge. It doesn't look like it but I think the stock actually has a higher comb/less drop that the Classic. I run Talley Lwt lows on pretty much everything and usually need a stock pack to get a good view through the scope. I don't need it on this one, pretty much perfect as is. Really a nice texture on the stock as well for a hunting stock. Only thing I could pick on it would be I wish they had other inlets for a small contour barrel since you are pretty much stuck using a CF wrap barrel with one.

Can do Marty. On the box length, I did order the Wyatts mag box and follower so not sure what length they are but can measure it. Will get some pics of the inlet in the AM, it is generous with the #4 contour since its inlet for a Proof Sendero but it looks fine IMHO. A bit more than on a McMillan but not bad.

Here you go Marty! In the pic it sort of looks like the barrel is off center just a bit but its actually right on center.

Fantastic 👏

What is the final weight please? TIA

Rifle only is 5lbs 15.9ozs. Final weight with scope.